Zach Reid has been named as Essendon’s Liberty Player of the Month for rounds 6-9 of the 2025 AFL season.

Approaching the halfway point of his fifth season at the highest level, the 202cm key defender has shown rapid development with an uninterrupted run of games, including a breakout 27-disposal, 14-mark effort in a win over the Swans.

Reid’s emergence has been one of the shining lights among the Bombers’ young crop this year, finally having the platform to showcase his poised, free-thinking play after his share of injury troubles.

Over his last four games this season, Reid is averaging 18 disposals, eight marks and six spoils per game, having only lost one of his 10 defensive one-on-one contests over that time.

Still only 18 games into his career, the 22-year-old’s development as a player and leader in the Bombers’ back half is already earning plaudits, reaping the rewards of consistent game time.

Reid joins skipper Zach Merrett as winners of the Liberty Player of the Month in 2025 so far, putting him in the running for the Liberty Player of the Year award at season’s end.